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Wed, 14 Mar 2018 12:47:09 +0000en-UShourly1http://www.vanguardstaffing.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/cropped-favicon-32x32.pngVanguard Staffinghttp://www.vanguardstaffing.com
3232113502179Is Empathy a Soft Skill or a Business Skill? Why You MUST Show Empathy to Your Teamhttp://www.vanguardstaffing.com/2018/03/14/empathy-soft-skill-business-skill-temp-agencies-white-plains-ny/
Wed, 14 Mar 2018 12:47:09 +0000http://www.vanguardstaffing.com/?p=1246As a manager, having hard skills is essential to doing your job properly. However, knowing the basics of your profession is only the starting point of what you need to succeed. Managers don’t just need to know the fundamentals, but also have strong soft skills if they’re going to lead a team and inspire their... Read more »

]]>As a manager, having hard skills is essential to doing your job properly. However, knowing the basics of your profession is only the starting point of what you need to succeed. Managers don’t just need to know the fundamentals, but also have strong soft skills if they’re going to lead a team and inspire their staff.

Communication skills, problem-solving abilities and strong leadership abilities are some of the key soft skills managers need to have … but even these skills aren’t enough to truly be a great leader. If you want your staff to look up to you and work as hard as possible, there’s a particular soft skill that is one of the most important: empathy. If you’re a manager, here’s what you need to know about this important skill:

Empathy makes it possible to work with a diverse group.

Today, diversity in the workplace is more important than ever. When working with people from different cultures and backgrounds, and groups with divergent experiences, being able to understand other perspectives is key to success.

Empathy is a culture that must be created.

Empathy doesn’t just happen, especially when many workers now have remote jobs and aren’t seeing each other on a day-to-day basis. You need to take responsibility as a manager to create a culture of empathy by focusing on the needs of others and looking for ways to enrich understanding.

Lead by example with a focus on empathy.

Leading by example is one of the most important things you can do to enhance empathy in the workplace. Point out the perspectives of others and take the time to really listen, and your staff should follow your lead.

Work with a top staffing agency in White Plains.

Vanguard Staffing can help companies hire managers who are strong on empathy, and help managers build a qualified group of workers who all have a high degree of empathy so they can relate to others.

If you want a staff that is full of people who can perform well because of their strong empathy skills, reach out to our team today and work with a top staffing agency in White Plains!

]]>1246Getting a Promotion Without a Raise? How to Have That Difficult, but Must-Have, Conversationhttp://www.vanguardstaffing.com/2018/03/07/getting-promotion-without-raise-difficult-conversation/
Wed, 07 Mar 2018 12:43:03 +0000http://www.vanguardstaffing.com/?p=1244Getting a promotion is always exciting because you have a chance to advance at work and spread your wings. While moving up professionally is often its own reward, some people expect that a promotion will also come with a pay raise. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. If you have been approached about a... Read more »

]]>Getting a promotion is always exciting because you have a chance to advance at work and spread your wings. While moving up professionally is often its own reward, some people expect that a promotion will also come with a pay raise. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

If you have been approached about a promotion and more money is not put on the table as part of the offer, you likely will decide to broach the subject of a pay increase. If you do, here are a few tips to ensure the conversation goes smoothly:

Discuss the employment responsibilities.

Find out what your new tasks will entail and how your workload will change. What tasks will you be adding? What tasks will you be keeping? What tasks will be passed along or will you now oversee? This will help you make an accurate assessment of what a reasonable salary bump would be.

Express excitement about the job, and ask about the new salary and structure.

You want to make sure your employer knows you’re excited about the promotion – and you want to make clear you expect a boost in your salary to compensate for your new responsibilities. You can state you’re looking forward to taking on new tasks; however, ask about the pay rate and make sure your boss gives you an answer before you accept.

Point out that a new hire wouldn’t have to prove themselves before being paid a fair salary.

If your employer expects you to take on new responsibilities, this is a sign they feel you’re up to the task. You shouldn’t have to take on the new role before getting a pay raise, as new hires brought into the company would be paid a fair salary right away.

Looking for the best accounting jobs in Westchester?

If you find your employer is not paying you fairly, you don’t have to stick with the status quo. Vanguard Staffing can help you explore other opportunities in your field with a company that appreciates your contributions. To find out more about how we can place you with the best accounting jobs in Westchester, give us a call today!

]]>1244What Can You Focus on to Be Happy in Your Own Job Right Now?http://www.vanguardstaffing.com/2018/02/28/focus-happy-job-right-now-nyc-temp-employment-agencies/
Wed, 28 Feb 2018 12:43:44 +0000http://www.vanguardstaffing.com/?p=1240You spend a good portion of your waking hours at your job every single day, so your happiness at work is naturally going to shape your overall happiness. While many workers find themselves frustrated with the daily grind of performing at work and finding a new position can start to seem attractive, it’s important to... Read more »

]]>You spend a good portion of your waking hours at your job every single day, so your happiness at work is naturally going to shape your overall happiness. While many workers find themselves frustrated with the daily grind of performing at work and finding a new position can start to seem attractive, it’s important to find a way to be happy in the here-and-now rather than always hoping some future opportunity will cure your career maladies.

The good news is, there are plenty of ways to make the best of your current situation and to find a way to be happy in the job you’re doing. Here are a few tips to help.

Realize everyone isn’t happy all the time

When you hear other people talk about their great jobs, remember they’re sharing only the good points of their work. Likewise, job posts that focus on all the exciting work you’ll be doing are intended to sell you on the position, not necessarily paint an accurate picture of the day-to-day. Most people, even people who like their jobs, don’t love every minute of their work and most jobs, even great jobs, still have some unpleasant parts. Focus on the times when you are happy at work, instead of expecting to be happy constantly, and you’ll be a lot happier overall.

Understand that everyone has job duties they don’t enjoy

While there may be parts of your work you aren’t happy doing, remember that most people feel that way. (It is called a job and work for a reason!) Recognize these unpleasant parts of your job are a necessary obligation but focus on the things that you do enjoy instead of dwelling on the tasks you hate.

Recognize there’s no finish line to happiness

While you want to be happy in your work in the present, remember that your work life and happiness levels are always evolving. Coping with some unpleasantness in your job today could put you on the path towards a promotion where you’ll be happier in the future.

Work with a top staffing agency in White Plains

Of course, there are some work circumstances that really do give you a legitimate reason to be unhappy. If you find you really don’t like your job and you want to explore new opportunities, reach out to Vanguard Staffing for help. Our staffing professionals can work with you to identify job opportunities that are likely to boost your happiness and can help you to land a job that you will love. Give us a call today to learn more about how to work with a top staffing agency in White Plains.

]]>1240How Do You Explain to the Recruiter Why You Want a New Job?http://www.vanguardstaffing.com/2018/02/21/explain-recruiter-want-new-job-staffing-agencies-stamford-ct/
Wed, 21 Feb 2018 20:43:33 +0000http://www.vanguardstaffing.com/?p=1237Looking for a new job can be a stressful process, especially when you face difficult questions. One query that you should always expect, which it can be hard to answer, is a question about why exactly you are looking for new work. When you’re asked by a recruiter about why you’re hoping to find a... Read more »

]]>Looking for a new job can be a stressful process, especially when you face difficult questions. One query that you should always expect, which it can be hard to answer, is a question about why exactly you are looking for new work.

When you’re asked by a recruiter about why you’re hoping to find a new position, there are a few key things to keep in mind as you craft your answer.

Never be negative

One of the most important things to remember is that you should never badmouth your old boss or criticize your old job. Without any information to go on other than your word, the recruiter is likely to view you as a complainer and negative person if you have nothing but bad things to say about your past work. It’s more likely the recruiter will come to the conclusion that you are the problem, not your old job, and that the recruiter will be concerned you’ll soon be complaining about your new work. You don’t want to paint yourself in this light. It will be difficult for the recruiter to truly push you to their clients for an open position.

Provide a succinct answer you’ve practiced beforehand

You don’t want to ramble on for a long time or it can sound like you’re making excuses. Instead, you should write out a few bullet points briefly explaining your decision before you go to the interview and you should use those bullet points to craft a brief, polite answer. You can deliver your answer by looking the recruiter directly in the eye and plainly stating your reasons. They will take those bullet points and expand on them when working with a hiring manager who is looking for a great candidate.

Focus on your career goals

When you provide an answer, be forward-looking. Instead of focusing on how you’ve been held back in the past, explain the types of new opportunities you are looking for and the ways in which you hope to advance your career. Which of your skills will translate to the jobs you want? What are the areas you want to focus on and how can a new job help you get there?

Work with a top staffing agency in Stamford CT

Most people looking for a new job are hoping for an opportunity that will allow them to advance their career and to find a position they love. Vanguard Staffing can help to make that happen for you. Our skilled, experienced recruiters know how to help candidates find the jobs of their dreams. To find out more about how we can assist in your job search efforts, reach out to a creative staffing agency today.

]]>1237Back to Basics: Project Management Skills You Can Never Ignore in Your Careerhttp://www.vanguardstaffing.com/2018/02/14/project-management-skills-never-ignore-creative-recruiters-stamford-ct/
Wed, 14 Feb 2018 20:42:22 +0000http://www.vanguardstaffing.com/?p=1235Effective project management is important for every leader. If you want to inspire your team, you need to know how to take charge in the most efficient way possible. This often means developing and cultivating your project management skills over time so you can continue to keep your team motivated. While there are many important... Read more »

]]>Effective project management is important for every leader. If you want to inspire your team, you need to know how to take charge in the most efficient way possible. This often means developing and cultivating your project management skills over time so you can continue to keep your team motivated.

While there are many important skills that go into being an effective project manager, some of the key skills you absolutely cannot ignore if you want to be successful include these four skills.

Communication

Project managers need to make sure everyone is on the same page about their role in the project and need to ensure everyone has the same objectives moving forward to make the project a success. Being able to communicate is key to achieving project milestones and keeping everyone motivated. A really strong communicator will be able to relate to the different personalities of the team and know the most effective way to successfully communicate.

Organization

There’s a lot of different balls to juggle when a project is going on, and it’s the job of a project manager to make sure nothing falls through the cracks. Having strong organizational skills and developing organizational tools that others on the project can use will help you ensure that you’re maximizing efficiency. Everyone will develop their own systems, but there are common principles (spreadsheets, software) that provide a great base to make sure the basic tasks don’t get lost in the shuffle.

Prioritization

Many projects have lots of moving pieces, and it’s up to you to make sure priority tasks are being completed and tasks are being done in the proper order. You need to be able to both prioritize tasks and help others on your team to manage their time wisely. An email in the inbox doesn’t mean it’s the top priority. Using your skills in this area helps your team focus on the most important tasks at the time and will keep the project on its timeline.

Adaptability

In most cases, projects change as they develop. You need to be ready to respond to challenges, overcome obstacles, adapt to feedback and make sure that everything still stays on track. Being adaptable and finding ways to change course when necessary is key to ensuring that a great finished product is produced. Many clients will say they know what they want in the beginning of the project, but until they see actual concepts and designs, they may not know exactly what they want produced.

Work with a top staffing agency in Stamford CT

A good project manager also knows that bringing the best people on board is important. Fortunately, Vanguard Staffing can help you build a great team that will exceed your performance expectations. If you are looking for a new project manager position, contact Vanguard Staffing today and learn how a top creative staffing agency in Stamford CT can help!

]]>1235Five Questions to Expect in Your Next Accounting Job Interviewhttp://www.vanguardstaffing.com/2018/02/07/questions-expect-next-accounting-job-interview-temp-agency-westchester-ny/
Wed, 07 Feb 2018 20:41:09 +0000http://www.vanguardstaffing.com/?p=1233If you’re hoping to land a great accounting job, you need to excel in the interview. This means preparing in advance and having some stock answers in mind for common interview questions, so you’ll know exactly what to say to impress a hiring manager. Being prepared helps overcome the nerves of the job interview. While... Read more »

]]>If you’re hoping to land a great accounting job, you need to excel in the interview. This means preparing in advance and having some stock answers in mind for common interview questions, so you’ll know exactly what to say to impress a hiring manager. Being prepared helps overcome the nerves of the job interview.

While you cannot prepare an answer for every single question that’s likely to come up, there are a few common queries that most accounting applicants face during the interview process. Here are five key questions that you’ll likely get that you should be prepared to answer.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the accounting profession?

You should be prepared to provide an answer to this question that shows you’ve given serious thought to your profession and that you keep up-to-date with industry trends. Are you reading blogs? Do you belong to LinkedIn groups? Where are you getting your information to stay on top of the latest trends and challenges?

Which accounting applications have you used in the past?

The more applications you’ve used, the more of an asset you will be to the new organization. Of course, you need to be honest about your past experience with applications, but you should make sure not to leave any software off your list you are familiar with. How did you learn these new systems? When you transitioned between systems, which skills worked with both systems and which skills did you need to learn for the new system.

Describe the pros and cons of different accounting packages you’ve used.

This is an opportunity to show off both that you’ve been thinking about how to do your job and that you are clearly familiar with accounting software programs. Be sure to think about some specific pros and cons that you can share. Take your answer to the next level and think about how your past experiences relate to the position and company you want.

Describe account processes you’ve developed or improved

Providing specific details about how you’ve improved efficiency and can better serve your clients is helpful in impressing a hiring manager. Were you able to reduce costs by 10 percent? Were you able to cut five minutes off a repeatable process, which saves the company more money than it appears?

Describe a time you helped reduce costs at a previous job

The company considering hiring you wants to know you’ll be able to add value to their organization. Showing off what you’ve done for past employers can be very helpful in proving you’d be a good hire. If you were proactive in this aspect, explain how you made it work for the previous company and earned buy-in from the rest of the team.

Work with a top temp agency in Westchester

Vanguard Staffing can help you to land an interview with a great company where you can show off your accounting skills. To find out more about how a top temp agency in Westchester NY can help you to find an accounting job you’ll love, give us a call today.

]]>1233Build Your Manager’s Trust Through These 5 Tipshttp://www.vanguardstaffing.com/2018/01/30/build-managers-trust-five-tips-temp-agencies-white-plains-ny/
Tue, 30 Jan 2018 14:23:42 +0000http://www.vanguardstaffing.com/?p=1230The best way to achieve job security is to be invaluable to your manager. You want to be your manager’s go-to person for handling important tasks, which means you need to ensure that your manager has a lot of trust in you. How can you build this trust? Follow these five tips to help: Do... Read more »

]]>The best way to achieve job security is to be invaluable to your manager. You want to be your manager’s go-to person for handling important tasks, which means you need to ensure that your manager has a lot of trust in you.

How can you build this trust? Follow these five tips to help:

Do your job well

Your manager will not trust you if they have to constantly check your work for mistakes or problems. But, if the manager feels confident your work will be error free and done on time, they are much more likely to give you assignments in the future since they won’t have to micromanage.

Take responsibility

You want your manager to know you are willing to hold yourself accountable for getting your tasks done correctly and by the deadline. When you are taking on a task, assume the obligation to get it done, and let your manager know right away if you need any help or support. If you see problems around the office, let your manager know you are willing to take ownership of finding solutions.

Be a team player

You need to be willing and able to work well with others so your manager doesn’t have to worry about assigning you to tasks where interaction is required. Make it a point to get along with every member of your team so your manager will know you can work with anyone you’re assigned to do a project with.

Don’t complain – solve problems

Managers don’t want to feel as if they have to take on the responsibility of solving every minor problem in the office. Next time you see something wrong or a way that processes can be improved, don’t go to your manager expecting them to find a solution – take on the responsibility to solve the problem and let your manager know of the issue and your proposed plans.

Don’t get involved in office gossip

Your manager will trust you much more if you behave with the utmost of professionalism and decorum. Office gossip isn’t a good way to ingratiate yourself with your manager as it can make you look juvenile if you partake.

Work with a top staffing agency in White Plains

It helps to build trust if you have a manager who you are a good fit with. Vanguard Staffing has successfully placed many job seekers in companies where they fit in perfectly with the company culture and build great relationships with managers. To find out more about how our recruiting professionals can help you, give us a call today and work with a top staffing agency in White Plains.

]]>1230A Successful Web Developer Job Search Requires These 5 Partshttp://www.vanguardstaffing.com/2018/01/23/successful-web-developer-job-search-requires-creative-recruiter-stamford-ct/
Tue, 23 Jan 2018 14:22:19 +0000http://www.vanguardstaffing.com/?p=1228If you’re searching for work as a web developer, you need to make sure you are being proactive and comprehensive in your job search. You want to show off your skills to hiring managers and reach companies that are looking for people with your particular talents and abilities. Some of the key components to a... Read more »

]]>If you’re searching for work as a web developer, you need to make sure you are being proactive and comprehensive in your job search. You want to show off your skills to hiring managers and reach companies that are looking for people with your particular talents and abilities.

Some of the key components to a successful search for a web developer job include:

Creating a portfolio with projects

A portfolio gives a far more detailed and in-depth look into your abilities than a resume would. A good portfolio can prompt a hiring manager to take quick action to capture your talent if you make a strong impression.

Building a freelance network

Finding work as a web developer is about what you know and who you know. The more people you have contact with in your industry, the more likely it is that you will be invited to work on exciting freelance projects and the better your chances of being noticed and hired by the companies that you hope to work for.

Github code

GitHub is a leading development platform where you can host and review code and build software while working collectively with millions of other developers. If you code on Github, you can make connections with industry leaders. You can develop your skills and abilities and strengthen your network to maximize your chances of being hired as a web developer.

Staying up-to-date on industry news

Web developers need to be on the cutting edge to get hired by companies that are industry leaders. Stay up to date with trends in your industry so you’ll come across as knowledgeable during any interviews that you attend. You may even want to start a blog on industry news to help you get noticed and make connections.

Learning from experience

Every stage in your job search should be a learning experience. When you attend an interview or a networking event, pay attention to the questions you’re asked and the topics of discussion so you can be better prepared to provide intelligent insight in future similar conversations.

Work with a top staffing agency in Stamford CT

You may also want to reach out to a recruiter to enhance your job search efforts and ensure you about big opportunities with top companies in your area. Vanguard Staffing can work closely with you to find the web developer job of your dreams. Just give us a call to find out how a top creative staffing agency can help!

]]>1228Busy Season Tips You Aren’t Thinking Ofhttp://www.vanguardstaffing.com/2018/01/16/busy-season-tips-not-thinking-accounting-staffing-westchester-ny/
Tue, 16 Jan 2018 14:20:05 +0000http://www.vanguardstaffing.com/?p=1226The busy season is coming up in the accounting industry and your office needs to be prepared. While you likely have a plan in place to handle the major influx of work that is coming your way, there may also be problems you have not prepared for. To ensure you are as ready as possible... Read more »

]]>The busy season is coming up in the accounting industry and your office needs to be prepared. While you likely have a plan in place to handle the major influx of work that is coming your way, there may also be problems you have not prepared for. To ensure you are as ready as possible to meet demand during the busiest time of the year, follow these tips:

Prepare for a crisis

Disaster can strike at any time. You could have technology problems that interrupt your workflow or the key member of your staff could get the flu and be out of work for a week. You need to have a contingency plan to prepare for problems that could arise so you don’t end up without a backup plan if a big problem happens during your busy season.

Review your client list

You have limited time during your prime working months, and you don’t want to waste it on low-paying clients with high demands who simply are not worth your effort. Evaluate your client list and your goals for profitability to determine if there are any D-list clients you could drop because they are simply more trouble than they are worth.

Engage your clients as early as you can

The earlier you can get clients into your office to get their returns filed and their needs met, the more time you will have for clients during your busiest season. Reach out as early as possible to get clients who are ready to come in before the prime season hits and you have limited time to accomplish all you need to do.

Review and update your processes

You don’t want to be operating inefficiently during your busy season. Review all of your protocols and processes to ensure you have the tools you need to get tasks done quickly and your efforts are streamlined so you aren’t duplicating work or incorporating redundancies into your processes that needlessly add time to your workflow.

Work with a top temp agency in Westchester NY

You also need to have a great staff who is ready to hit the ground running during your busy season. Vanguard Staffing can help you hire full-time or temporary accounting professionals. Give a top temp agency in Westchester a call today to find out how our staffing professionals can help you build an accounting team that is prepared to get through the busy season by providing professional, quality service.

]]>1226Blockchain Is More Than a Financial Buzzword. It’s a New Term Financial Job Candidates Must Understandhttp://www.vanguardstaffing.com/2018/01/09/blockchain-financial-buzzword-candidates-temp-agency-westchester-ny/
Tue, 09 Jan 2018 14:18:31 +0000http://www.vanguardstaffing.com/?p=1224When you are interviewing for an accounting job in the financial sector, it is important to show that you’ve kept up with developments in the industry. You’ll need to illustrate you know about the new financial products available and you understand the language used to talk about modern financial products. For example, one key term... Read more »

]]>When you are interviewing for an accounting job in the financial sector, it is important to show that you’ve kept up with developments in the industry. You’ll need to illustrate you know about the new financial products available and you understand the language used to talk about modern financial products.

For example, one key term you need to make sure your employers know you understand is blockchain. So, what is blockchain?

Blockchain refers to a database or a ledger

Blockchain is similar in many ways to a spreadsheet, because it can maintain an ever-growing list of transactions or records. However, blockchain is decentralized and public. Because the network is distributed and there is no central authority controlling transactions, computer servers reach a consensus to allow transactions to occur. Blockchain is trusted not only because of this decentralization but also because blockchains are secure. Once posts are put onto the ledger, they can’t be changed and the record of the transactions is irreversible.

Bitcoin is the financial product most commonly associated with blockchain

Blockchain is the technology that makes bitcoin work. Users can transact directly on a decentralized blockchain network without any middle man. This makes bitcoin a secure currency that people can exchange in transactions for goods and services. Bitcoin transactions are largely untraceable because of the decentralized nature of the distributed network.

Blockchain is just the tip of the iceberg

While blockchain is most commonly associated with bitcoin, the use of blockchain for bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies is just the beginning. Blockchain has many other purposes, and major Wall Street banks are investing in the technology with hopes that it will cut backroom transaction costs.

If you have an understanding of blockchain and how it will affect the financial services industry, you are ahead of the game and are likely going to be an in-demand hire by companies who want financial professionals with a deep understanding of emerging technologies.

Work with a top temp agency in Westchester NY

Vanguard Staffing can help you land a great job with a company that appreciates your knowledge of this technology which may change the financial industry. Give us a call today to work with a top temp agency in Westchester and to find out how we can help you to land a great position at a company where your knowledge will be valued.